| Title |
Conscious Brain-to-Brain Communication in Humans Using Non-Invasive Technologies
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
PLOS ONE, August 2014
|
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0105225 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Carles Grau, Romuald Ginhoux, Alejandro Riera, Thanh Lam Nguyen, Hubert Chauvat, Michel Berg, Julià L. Amengual, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Giulio Ruffini |
| Abstract |
Human sensory and motor systems provide the natural means for the exchange of information between individuals, and, hence, the basis for human civilization. The recent development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has provided an important element for the creation of brain-to-brain communication systems, and precise brain stimulation techniques are now available for the realization of non-invasive computer-brain interfaces (CBI). These technologies, BCI and CBI, can be combined to realize the vision of non-invasive, computer-mediated brain-to-brain (B2B) communication between subjects (hyperinteraction). Here we demonstrate the conscious transmission of information between human brains through the intact scalp and without intervention of motor or peripheral sensory systems. Pseudo-random binary streams encoding words were transmitted between the minds of emitter and receiver subjects separated by great distances, representing the realization of the first human brain-to-brain interface. In a series of experiments, we established internet-mediated B2B communication by combining a BCI based on voluntary motor imagery-controlled electroencephalographic (EEG) changes with a CBI inducing the conscious perception of phosphenes (light flashes) through neuronavigated, robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with special care taken to block sensory (tactile, visual or auditory) cues. Our results provide a critical proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of conscious B2B communication technologies. More fully developed, related implementations will open new research venues in cognitive, social and clinical neuroscience and the scientific study of consciousness. We envision that hyperinteraction technologies will eventually have a profound impact on the social structure of our civilization and raise important ethical issues. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 1,272 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 272 | 21% |
| United Kingdom | 64 | 5% |
| Canada | 48 | 4% |
| Spain | 42 | 3% |
| France | 35 | 3% |
| Germany | 24 | 2% |
| India | 20 | 2% |
| Mexico | 20 | 2% |
| Australia | 13 | 1% |
| Other | 201 | 16% |
| Unknown | 533 | 42% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 1074 | 84% |
| Scientists | 125 | 10% |
| Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 44 | 3% |
| Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 28 | 2% |
| Unknown | 1 | <1% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 596 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 14 | 2% |
| United Kingdom | 8 | 1% |
| Germany | 5 | <1% |
| Japan | 5 | <1% |
| Netherlands | 3 | <1% |
| Spain | 3 | <1% |
| France | 2 | <1% |
| Colombia | 2 | <1% |
| Chile | 1 | <1% |
| Other | 11 | 2% |
| Unknown | 542 | 91% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 130 | 22% |
| Researcher | 99 | 17% |
| Student > Bachelor | 77 | 13% |
| Student > Master | 76 | 13% |
| Other | 28 | 5% |
| Other | 116 | 19% |
| Unknown | 70 | 12% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 79 | 13% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 75 | 13% |
| Psychology | 74 | 12% |
| Engineering | 67 | 11% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 51 | 9% |
| Other | 154 | 26% |
| Unknown | 96 | 16% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 2547. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 29 February 2024.
All research outputs
#3,018
of 25,753,031 outputs
Outputs from PLOS ONE
#29
of 224,453 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#11
of 247,985 outputs
Outputs of similar age from PLOS ONE
#1
of 4,902 outputs
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